Thanks to its success as a filming location, Skopelos is ranked among the world’s ten most popular tourist destinations based on a survey of internet searches and social media shares, according to the UK’s Mirror newspaper, which quotes a recent study.

Included on the list are New Zealand, Scotland, England, Ireland, and the USA, renowned for being the filming locations for “The Lord of the Rings,” Harry Potter,” “The Shining” by Stephen King, “The King’s Speech,” “Sleepless in Seattle,” “Twilight,” “Star Wars” and “Joker.”

Ranked 10th on the list, Skopelos gained worldwide popularity for being the filming location of the 2008 hit musical “Mamma Mia!”

According to the survey, the island performs excellently in Instagram hashtags, with 220,000 views. It also impresses visitors with its “Mamma Mia” themed tours. At the same time, Skopelos and the popular music, gastronomy, and dance extravaganza “Mamma Mia! The Party” was voted the second-best entertainment proposal for Londoners through the winter, among 20 original ideas for alternative entertainment.

The launch of the show was preceded by a special online promotion campaign, a collaboration between the London-based organizers and the Municipality of Skopelos. 

“Mamma Mia! The Party,” which has proven to be hugely successful, has recreated a picturesque Greek island setting with alleyways, fountains, houses and tavernas reminiscent of Skopelos in the “heart” of London, in the state-of-the-art O2 multiplex.

“Through inventive ways of promotion, we try to keep alive the travelers’ interest in the island and its association with the film “Mamma Mia.” The original excursions to the island, especially to places where the shooting of the film took place, have also contributed to this. Traffic forecasts for 2023 are optimistic.

“Skopelos presents a unique depth and a variety of interests that enthrall our visitors from abroad,” said the president of the Tourism Committee, Ioanna Efstathiou.

This article was previously published in Greek at kathimerini.gr.